May 30, 2024

Fishing Planet - Dennis_FP

Hey there our beloved Anglers,

The launch of the new Kaiji No Ri ocean location in Japan, which is just around the corner, will bring with it over 500 new inventory items specifically designed for this unique fishing environment. Fishing in the open sea introduces a host of new challenges, including new fish species, unpredictable weather conditions, and a completely different water consistency.

The fish in the ocean are notably larger, requiring significantly more powerful setups to fight and reel them in. With depths reaching up to 500 meters in some places, anglers need heavier sinkers for bottom fishing. New tackle materials provide enhanced resistance to saltwater corrosion for durability in the ocean. Additionally, fishing from a boat, rather than the shore, requires equipment that can handle the movement while trolling and the formidable fight of larger ocean fish.

Today's DevDiary introduces the exciting new items for ocean fishing, including delicious fresh baits like spiny lobsters, flying squid, gutted fish, and giant chunks of fresh fish. You'll also find innovative saltwater lures such as pilkers, plugs, squid jigs, bucktails, trolling octopuses, and teasers like squid chains. We’ll showcase saltwater rods and reels, and reveal some details about the new animations in the game.

Let’s dive in!

Saltwater Tackle in the Global Shop

The first thing you'll notice when you open the Global Store is a new section dedicated to Saltwater tackle. Upon opening it, you'll discover a whopping 31 pages featuring a wide array of tackles for ocean fishing, ranging from level 81 to level 90.

Additionally, in all the tabs' dropdowns, you'll find new sections for saltwater items in their respective categories.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the saltwater core gear available in the shop. The selection includes spinning, casting, and bottom equipment specifically designed for ocean fishing. We'll highlight a few examples to give you a sense of what to expect and what to look forward to.

There are four Saltwater Spinning Rods all in the Kōdo Kyatchā Series by the renowned Japanese company Tsurihito™. As one of the oldest and largest manufacturers of extra heavy rods, Tsurihito™ has created the exclusive Kōdo Kyatchā with SamuraiDo® technology. These rods feature eight reinforcement layers of high modulus polyethylene "gel fiber," carbon fabric, and polymer resin, offering exceptional strength and remarkable flexibility. Despite their power, the rods have light and strong blanks, equipped with guides featuring silicon carbide inserts to prevent line tangles.

Bottom rods are represented in AquaStrike FJ and Ryōshi Kaito HJ series.

AquaStrike FJ by Fletch and Bradford™ are short bottom rods at attractive prices. They are perfect for fishing in conditions where it is impossible to swing far enough when casting and throwing the bait far. Made with alternating layers of fiberglass, these sleek looking rods are strong enough to take on big fish. The rods are equipped with strong and reliable guides that resist unexpected and heavy loads to withstand the significant weight of the fish.

The Ryōshi Kaito HJ are powerful short rods from Tsurihito™. The innovative technologies used in their production make these rods unique for bottom sea fishing. The nanofibers used to reinforce the rods with NanoFlexyPoint® technology create an incredibly strong and flexible construction. The rods are equipped with a complete set of reinforced roller guides and roller tips that can withstand heavy loads under extreme fishing conditions. All poles are treated with a special anti-corrosion protective layer against the aggressive marine environment, which increases the performance of the rods.

The shop will feature a diverse range of Saltwater Casting Rods, spanning six different series from Tsurihito™ and Fletch and Bradford™. We'll showcase two of these series as examples.

The Kōdo Tatsu Umi Pro casting rods from the latest Kōdo series by Tsurihito™ will captivate casting saltwater fishing enthusiasts with their unique properties. The rods deliver exceptional balance and power while still looking sleek. The innovative technology of applying each of the eight composite reinforcing layers to the rod provides it with the highest strength and flexibility. The unique placement of the guides allows you to use not only fishing lines, but also thin braided cords without problems and overlaps.

The ReefRider Max trolling rods from Fletch and Bradford™ are a masterpiece of engineering and design. Developed to perform in the toughest conditions, these rods are equipped with a complete set of roller guides and saltwater resistant roller tips. Innovations were used in the manufacturing process, including the Ultra Resonance System® technology, as the use of composite high-modulus materials made it possible to obtain unique properties of the rods: the ability to instantly return to their original position after peak loads, plasticity, and high sensitivity!

The saltwater reels are simply stunning. Here are a few examples for you, but there will be much more!

The Tsunami Koiru Series are powerful spinning reels by Tsurihito™. They have a fairly large size but are easy to operate and don't require special care. Being one of the most reliable reels in their class, they fully meet all the main requirements of a modern angler. A special boron nitride coating on the various 3D-BN® reel mechanisms guarantees exceptional strength, durability, and wear resistance.

The TsuruOceanSeries from Tsurihito™ are saltwater baitcasting reels that you can trust 100%. These reels easily and smoothly overcome the resistance of heavy loads, which allows you to cast both weightless plastic lures and heavy ones with accuracy, and also increases the casting distance with less effort. The spool, rotor and parts of the drag mechanisms of the reel, made using the innovative TatsumakiLite® technology from an ultra-light and strong alloy, are wear-resistant and provide high-speed winding. They have a waterproof body that is resistant to the aggressive marine environment.

The FlowCatch saltwater baiting reels series by Fletch and Bradford™ were manufactured specifically for anglers for whom reliability is the main requirement in saltwater fishing.They possesses huge free-floating spool capacity, AntiRust® protected instantaneous anti-reverse brake bearing, StopWet® waterproof gasket, and other benefits of FaBula® protection technology. The lightness and strength of the body combined with the power and smoothness in reeling in the largest marine dwellers puts them ahead of any other reels of this class!

The powerful RaidenWheel Heavy Duty reels from Tsurihito™ are designed for deep sea trolling or bottom fishing at depths of more than 100 meters. Constructed from an ultra-light, wear-resistant TatsumakiLite® alloy, the spool, rotor and drag parts provide ideal high-speed winding.

There will also be dozens of new saltwater lines, leaders, hooks, and sinkers. Each item is specifically designed to meet the demands of ocean environments and resist the corrosive effects of saltwater. You'll have everything you need for ocean fishing, including trolling.

You'll have everything you need for ocean fishing, including trolling.

As for the lures, you will have a lot of new things to choose from.

You'll find regular lures in the shop, as well as trophy items available as mission rewards. Additionally, you can earn exclusive X-Series and Club-Series items.

Plugs -classic wooden trolling lures. Their elongated body is weighted with a metal tip and fitted with a powerful hook on the other side.They are ideal for trolling Tuna, Marlin, Mahi-Mahi or Wahoo.

Pilkers - oblong jigs with the front-placed center of gravity. They are equipped with one, two, or three hooks on leaders (mainly located in the head of the lure) and are intended for casting and vertical jigging. Amberjacks, Trevallies, and Dogtooth Tunas respond best to this lure.

Bucktails - casting lures, made in the form of a small metal fish with a long, fluffy tail made of synthetic fibers. Their main purpose is casting and jigging, as well as trolling. Mahi-Mahi, Striped Bass, Snook, and other fish that live in the surface layer are happy to bite at this bait.

Trolling Octopuses are silicone lures that resemble skirts. They are one of the most popular marine lures and perfect for beginners. They are made in the form of an octopus and have realistic tentacles. This lure is designed for trolling Tunas, Marlins, Mahi-Mahi, and Wahoo.

Squid jigs are popular front-loaded jig lures for recreational squid fishing with spinning rods. They resemble shrimp in shape and color and are made of plastic and sport two crowns of barbless spikes, which catch the squid’s tentacles when it’s attacking the lure. The absence of barbs makes it easy to remove the caught squid, but it also increases the chance of it slipping away, so while catching the squid your fishing line shouldn't go slack even for a second.

Squid Chains are teasers imitating a flock of squids. They consist of several silicone squids, located one after the other on a monofilament 2- or 3-meter-long line. As a rule, the main lure with a hook is attached behind the last squid. They are ideal for catching Tuna, Marlin, and Mahi-Mahi.

There will be plenty of fresh baits like Japanese Jack Mackerel, Japanese Flying Squid, Japanese Anchovy that are excellent for all pelagic predatory fish such as Tunas, Marlins, Mackerels, Bonitos, Yellowtails, and Trevallies.

Japanese spiny lobsters are valuable commercial crustaceans in Japan, while also making a perfect bait for the Giant Grouper, as well as gutted fish. Fish stripes are best for bottom fish like Snappers, Trevallies and Amberjack, but these fish won’t skip the chance to taste gutted fish as well.

As usual, the game features a local shop at the new location. It will offer the most common items you might need, ensuring you won't have to travel back to the Globe if you run out of bait or forget something. For your convenience, the local shop will have two sections.

Another exciting addition is Free spool mechanics that will enhance your fishing experience, especially for bottom fishing at great depths. This feature allows precise control of your line, enabling the free immersion of lures or sinkers to significant depths with an open spool and securing the line at the desired depth with a closed spool. This added functionality offers greater accuracy, especially when the bottom topography is unknown and considering the fact that the depth of the ocean will be over 100 meters at many spots, making it easier to target specific depths and fish species. Additionally, a gaff has been added to the animations, used for bringing large fish aboard the boat, further enriching the overall fishing experience.

This was a brief introduction to the ocean inventory items available with The Ocean Update and some of the new animations, but there's much more to come. We've also started working on a new matchmaking system for competitions in the game. Our goal is to revise the competition rating and leaderboards to make them more dynamic, fair, and motivating for players of all skill levels and fishing experience.

While we put the finishing touches on the final details of the Ocean Update, we thank you for your patience and continuous support.

Tight lines and see you soon!

___________________________________________________________________

Follow us on social media to stay tuned and be in touch with our lovely community:

Read previous DevDiaries on the ocean update:

You are always welcome to ask for help in our support: support@fishingplanet.com
*All visual content in this DevDiary is crafted to showcase the upcoming features; however, there may be slight differences upon the actual release of the update

May 10, 2024

Live Bait Fiesta Cup 2024

Fishing Planet - Dennis_FP

Hello there to our lovely community,

We invite seasoned Anglers and newcomers to join us for the Live Bait Fiesta Cup!
Don’t forget that Fishing Planet’s Tournaments are not only an opportunity to challenge your angling skills, but also a great chance for beginners to fish at high level locations for in-game money. All of the players who register to the Tournament, get access to all the participating locations along with the licenses for qualifying fish.

Get your bottom and match gear ready. Leave your rod stand at home — it won't be needed.
Please note that only fish caught from the shore will be considered valid during the tournament. The winner will be determined based on the maximum weight of their ten heaviest catches.
Throughout the tournament, you'll embark on an exhilarating journey through three stunning warm countries in South America. Explore waterways surrounded by tropical jungles and inhabited by unique impressive fish.

Your adventure will take you to the Peruvian Lake Maku-Maku, the Amazonian Maze in Brazil, and the Marron River flowing through the Bolivian rainforests. These locales boast incredible flora and fauna, attracting sport fishing experts from around the globe. Prepare to face off against seasoned pros in this tournament!

Remember, the greater the challenge, the sweeter the victory. Compete for the title of Champion and win substantial prizes, including generous amounts of Credits, Baitcoins, and exclusive equipment items. Join us for an unforgettable fishing experience!

Stay tuned and don't miss the registration date for the Live Bait Fiesta Cup!

Registration of tournament participants begins on May 13th at 18:00 UTC.
The tournament takes place from May 14 to May 19th, 18:00 UTC

Tournament schedule dates:

May 14th — first qualifier on the deep-water lake Maku-Maku in Peru.
May 15th — second qualifier in the Amazonian Maze in Brazil.
May 16th — third qualifier on the foggy Marron River, amidst the Bolivian jungle.
May 18th — semi-finals on the Marron River in Bolivia.
May 19th — tournament finals in the Amazonian Maze, Brazil.

Important! Please, read the Competitive activities rules before you register. We've recently joined the Epic Games Store, which means you can play against folks on Steam too! The most important part is that you can have Fishing Planet accounts on both platforms, but you can only use one Fishing Planet account per device for tournaments.
We know gaming with family is awesome, but for tournaments, each family member should play on their own device. If you share a device, just pick one person to compete.

Do not miss an opportunity to get everything you need in the Live Bait Fiesta Pack!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1804848/Fishing_Planet_Live_Bait_Fiesta_Pack/

Tight lines and good luck!

May 2, 2024

DevDiary: Exploring Kaiji No Ri

Fishing Planet - Dennis_FP

When we set out to create the ocean map, we weren't aiming to just add a new location in Fishing Planet. Our ambition was to go big. We wanted players to feel like they were stepping into a whole new world, with endless possibilities and giant fish waiting to be caught.

But let us tell you, turning that dream into reality wasn't easy. In fact, sometimes we joke that it would have been faster and easier to build a whole new game from scratch! And that joke is actually not too far from reality.

Now, after months of hard work, we're getting closer to the finish line, and it's been quite the journey. Today we're excited to present a new addition to our DevDiary series for you to take a closer look at the location and some of the new features accompanying it. Sit back and enjoy!

Discovering the immensity

You already know that the new location is going to be massive. We've discussed its size in previous DevDiaries — it's set to span 20 by 20 km, totaling 400 square kilometers, or roughly 40,000 hectares, which is almost 100,000 acres.

To give you a sense of scale, we previously attempted to estimate these dimensions by comparing them to all our other Fishing Planet locations combined and multiplied at least by twenty. Now, however, you can see for yourself with the following image.

Take a peek at all of our locations gathered in the upper left corner. We're confident you'll recognize some of your favorite maps by their outlines.

Now, let's zoom in for a closer look in the picture below. We've highlighted the Mudwater River for you with a red square so you can see it up close and truly grasp the enormity of the new map. Remember, when it comes to fishing, it's the size of the water surface that matters, so disregard the green areas on the maps. Take a moment to appreciate just how much blue there is on the new map, showcasing the vastness of the saltwater waiting for you at the Kaiji No Ri location.

Ocean water: mastering the waves

When it comes to video games, graphics play a crucial role, particularly in simulators. In Fishing Planet, water constitutes 90% of our graphics. Water is an incredibly complex element, like nothing else in the real world. Freshwater and saltwater have distinctly different physics, appearance, and behaviors. This is one of the reasons why crafting a saltwater location felt close to developing an entirely new game – we had to build 90% of the graphics from scratch. We're proud to say that we like the outcome of our efforts.

We've created different water shapes and technologies for various platforms - mobile, consoles, and PC. It actually consists of three different types of water, which are significantly different in terms of calculations, although they may appear the same. Some of them were created using the Gerstner wave formula, while others utilized FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) and tessellation technology to ensure the most realistic approach. Calculating buoyancy was a challenging task given the variety of water technologies involved, but we've managed to do it.

The appearance of the water also varies significantly depending on the weather and time of day, yet it maintains its stunning and remarkably realistic quality, whether it's day or night, sunny or cloudy.

The ocean isn't always serene; sometimes, storms brew, and waves grow sharp and tumultuous. For such occasions, we've developed a special water dynamic. And let us tell you, this one's our favorite!

No kidding, the ocean turned out so realistic that after our first trips, some of us even felt a bit dizzy! :)

The water you see in the videos above isn't the final version yet. We're still refining and enhancing small details to make it look as realistic as possible. It's also important to mention that optimizing such an expansive water mass is crucial to ensure all players can enjoy it across various platforms and devices. Therefore, our developers pay special attention to it.

Control panel and devices

If you've checked out the Fish Species Guide for our upcoming location, you already know that the majority of fish species in this area are highly migratory, covering many kilometers each day. With such vast movements influenced by natural factors like weather, wind, time of day, and depth, it will take anglers quite some time to study fish behavior. But fear not! We've got you covered.

Introducing brand new Echo Sounders and Fish Finders installed on all saltwater boats, along with a comprehensive GPS navigator map built right into the boats themselves, ensuring convenience for all the anglers.

As you can see in the videos, the depth varies significantly. With the Echo Sounder, you'll have visibility of the depth and bottom relief beneath the boat, and different depth zones can be identified on both the Fish Finder and the GPS navigator. The Echo Sounder will display fish directly beneath your boat, while the Fish Finder will detect fish in a wider radius around your location.

The Fish Finder also displays fish across different layers - upper, middle, and bottom - helping you determine the most suitable tackle to use. Indeed, certain spots on the map are teeming with fish, tempting you to cast your rods non-stop!

Sea Life Simulation System

Another addition tailored specifically for the saltwater location is the Sea Life Simulation System. Mirroring real-life phenomena, when tuna schools pursue smaller fish, they drive them towards the surface, attracting flocks of seagulls eager to snatch their share. Fishing in these spots promises excitement, with tuna leaping out of the water just as they do in reality!

We’ve made sure to provide anglers with clues on locating bottom-dwelling fish on the map. While they won't be leaping out of the water like tuna, there will be other indicators of where to find them in the location. These hints are left for you to discover, when the map is released.

Navigation Buoys

We mentioned earlier the GPS navigation built into the boats, but there will also be already familiar to you Tablet with the map and other useful features. Given the vast size of the location, traveling from one end to the other can take quite some time. To simplify navigation, we've created the Navigation Buoys for saltwater locations. These special buoys allow you to mark your favorite spots and teleport directly to them, streamlining your journey.

Setting a Navigation buoy is simple: travel to the desired location, open the map, and click the plus button. The buoy will mark the spot instantly.

If you wish to travel to any of your Navigation Buoys, simply click on it and hit the button. You'll be instantly transported right there!

But Navigation Buoys don’t only exist on the Tablet navigation map, they are real objects in the water. You will be able to see them when you are passing by.

At night Navigation Buoys illuminate with red light, making them visible from afar. You can also enjoy the sight of stars in the night sky, with the lighthouse and port lanterns adding to the ambiance. These features take extra time, but it was important for us to create a cozy atmosphere for nighttime fishing.

Picture yourself stepping onto that boat in the hazy dawn, starting the engine, and gliding slowly and silently out of the marina. Then, as you gain momentum, you cut through the waves and venture into the vast open ocean!

We appreciate how much you're looking forward to this update, and we're working tirelessly to bring it to life. It is crucial for us to ensure that the experience you have in this location is everything we envisioned for you and we thank you for holding tight until it’s released.

Keep an eye out for the next DevDiary, where we'll delve into the details of saltwater tackles and gear. Until then, tight lines, and enjoy your fishing adventures!

P.S. Just a little treat for you

We know you've always wanted to approach those yachts and ships that you can see in the distance at various locations in the game, and at Kaiji No Ri, you'll finally have the chance! For example, there will be Cruise Ships in Japan. You can sail to one, take a close look from all angles, sail alongside it and…

…even crash into it! We know you wanted to try it! Have fun! :D

___________________________________________________________________

Follow us on social media to stay tuned and be in touch with our lovely community:
Discord
Facebook Group

Read previous DevDiaries on the ocean update:

https://steamcommunity.com/games/380600/announcements/detail/4156329795249248305?snr=2___

https://steamcommunity.com/games/380600/announcements/detail/4214880391847589527?snr=2___

You are always welcome to ask for help in our support: support@fishingplanet.com

*All visual content in this DevDiary is crafted to showcase the upcoming features; however, there may be slight differences upon the actual release of the update